Experts needed!! Does this appear to be an antique cushion???

[rubyjim]

Hi!!! I’ve been searching high and low for my antique cushion. Can you tell in these photos if this appears to be an antique?? I want to bid on it but I want to be as sure as I can that it’s truly an old stone. Do you see any obvious characteristics that make you think it could be new or is old? The seller hasn’t gotten back to me yet but I don’t want to miss out. Thank you!!!

 

[Lorelei]

It looks like an Old Mine Cut to me, could be a great find! I think I can see some inclusions in the stone though, what does the description say about it? No need to link to it.

I'm not a OMC guru but I'm sure some of the others will be along presently, how much time do you have?

 

[stonewell]

Yes, it’s an old mine cushion. Some can look almost like a round, but the stone in the one above appears elongated and cushion like.

Here’s an example of a cushion stone I just picked up for a project so you can see the similar shape

 

[Lorelei]

Nice project!

 

[stonewell]

Thanks @Lorelei! Don’t want to threadjack, so you can see the inspired pic in the Vintage wishlist thread. Maybe I’ll start one as soon as I get the details sorted out.

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks @Lorelei! Don’t want to threadjack, so you can see the inspired pic in the Vintage wishlist thread. Maybe I’ll start one as soon as I get the details sorted out.

Roger Wilco Stone!

 

[the_mother_thing]

Sorry to threadjack, but dayummmm @stonewell ... that’s a beaut! I love how much environmental color is displays in the second pic. That’s one of the reasons I love mine so much as well.

@rubyjim I’m not the ‘guru’ either, but I personally use old mine cushion/antique cushion interchangeably. Mine - while it looks pretty round in the setting - is also slightly ‘cushiony’ (though GIA called it an Old European Cut), but it’s not as detectable in the picture (my avatar). I do think - however, - that it is a true ‘antique’ cut vs. being a newer cut diamond to appear antique. The cutting is more ‘rustic’ and ‘imperfect’ (in a good way, IMO) that makes me think that. The newer cut ‘antique’-style diamonds have more ‘perfection’ to the cutting, so that’s why I think it is a true ‘antique’ cut - be it an OMC or ACC. Good luck & be sure to come back with pics if you buy!

 

[rubyjim]

Thank you thank you!! I'm getting excited. I have about 12 hours. But for crying out loud, Stonewell.... oh my, that stone is BEAUTIFUL!!! And that is the pattern I am seeking and I cannot see it in the pics of the one I'm debating, do you???
Lorelei, it says
Stone Shape: Cushion cut

Color Grade approx: K-L

Clarity Grade approx: VS2-SI1

 

[the_mother_thing]

@rubyjim Have you looked at Love Affair Diamonds, Jewels by Grace, Old World Diamonds, or Ivy & Rose (etsy)? They all have a lot of options as well if you’re looking for a particular facet pattern. Might be worth a look, as they’re at least relatively known by many PSers as having great options/supply in a variety of budgets. Just a suggestion while you wait out that auction.

Also, in the second pic you noted of the diamond you’re looking at, it looks like the upper-left corner may have a chip at the girdle, just to the right of the prong. If you haven’t already, you might want to ask the seller about that as well. Just something I noted looking at the pics.

 

[stonewell]

Thank you thank you!! I'm getting excited. I have about 12 hours. But for crying out loud, Stonewell.... oh my, that stone is BEAUTIFUL!!! And that is the pattern I am seeking and I cannot see it in the pics of the one I'm debating, do you???
Lorelei, it says
Stone Shape: Cushion cut

Color Grade approx: K-L

Clarity Grade approx: VS2-SI1

The photos from your post likely don’t do the stone justice. And as @the_mother_thing noted, it is a true antique, so you won’t always get all of the facets to light up perfectly at the same time compared to a recent, optically perfect, antique inspired cut.

Is the item returnable if it doesn’t make your heart sing? If so, I’d give it a try and see how you feel. So you know, I called several stones before I landed on this one. So, don’t be discouraged - the hunt is all part of the fun.

Edited to add - my stone above came from Ivy & Rose. Ilya has many of his stones listed on ebay as well.

 

[rubyjim]

Yes I've been stalking all of them and they have the most beautiful stones. See, this is why you all are so amazing!! I think I might see the chip but I take your word for it!! I will ask.
Are you able to see any pattern or are the pics too foggy?

 

[rubyjim]

That is great advice... if I do go with it, who do I take it to to have it removed from the setting it's in??

 

[stonewell]

What’s your budget range @rubyjim?

 

[stonewell]

That is great advice... if I do go with it, who do I take it to to have it removed from the setting it's in??

I personally won’t use anyone that hasn’t worked with old cuts. The majority of them have very thin girdles, so I’m afraid of having them chipped. So, for me, I’ve used Ilya and CvB - mostly because I was buying the setting from them. Otherwise, if it’s just a reset into one I already have, I go to David Klass.

 

[rubyjim]

Wellllll that's the problem....I don't have a huge budget. About 7000 for stone and setting.

 

[Lorelei]

Put it this way.

I *think* I might be able to see culet reflections, but don't hold me to it just from these photos. I also *think* I can see where the others might see a chip but I'm not sure again with the pics, good chance there are chips though but you know that obviously with these old stones.

I can see colour under the table and the K - L range is going to be warm, are you ok with that?

 

[stonewell]

Wellllll that's the problem....I don't have a huge budget. About 7000 for stone and setting.

Omgoodness, that’s a fabulous budget! You can get a great stone and setting, no doubt

What’s the carat weight of the center stone in the ring your considering? Does it have the dimensions of the stone listed? One thing to keep in mind is these tend to be cut deep.

 

[rubyjim]

I'm so sorry but what are culet reflections?? They don't give the dimensions, that's one of the things I asked for that they haven't answered!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Only do this if there is a return period. I agree about the chip. And while it certainly is an OMC, it's not one of the best cut I have seen. So be selective and take your time and find a great one. Down the road, if you decide to upgrade and want to sell the one you have, it pays off to buy well cut ones.

redwood's is a good example:

 

[the_mother_thing]

The red circle shows the culet (which appears large), and the blue circles - I believe - are some of the kozibe effect of the culet reflecting around in the diamond. Mine has it as well ... some people love it, some people prefer a smaller culet. It really comes down to personal preference in that regard.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Only do this if there is a return period. I agree about the chip. And while it certainly is an OMC, it's not one of the best cut I have seen. So be selective and take your time and find a great one. Down the road, if you decide to upgrade and want to sell the one you have, it pays off to buy well cut ones.

redwood's is a good example:

Agreed! And yes, her diamond slays me every time I see it!

 

[stonewell]

Just a thought, @rubyjim, if you’re planning to reset the stone anyways, I’d give serious thought to selecting the stone alone. That is, unless you’re getting a killer deal well under the value of just the stone.

If I didn’t need a smaller diamond for my project, I would have chosen this one

https://ivyandrose.com/products/ant...nt-cut-old-mine-diamond-cushion-certified-1-9

Reasonable depth, which translates to a good face-up size. Ilya noted it’s a high K. It is EGL graded, which I don’t normally choose, but for old cuts, I give more leeway on which lab is used. The stone appears to have a nice kozibe effect too.

I would share your budget with him and see if he can work both the stone and setting within those parameters.

 

[LLJsmom]

Yes, it’s an old mine cushion. Some can look almost like a round, but the stone in the one above appears elongated and cushion like.

Here’s an example of a cushion stone I just picked up for a project so you can see the similar shape

Drooling!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just a thought, @rubyjim, if you’re planning to reset the stone anyways, I’d give serious thought to selecting the stone alone. That is, unless you’re getting a killer deal well under the value of just the stone.

If I didn’t need a smaller diamond for my project, I would have chosen this one

https://ivyandrose.com/products/ant...nt-cut-old-mine-diamond-cushion-certified-1-9

Reasonable depth, which translates to a good face-up size. Ilya noted it’s a high K. It is EGL graded, which I don’t normally choose, but for old cuts, I give more leeway on which lab is used. The stone appears to have a nice kozibe effect too.

I would share your budget with him and see if he can work both the stone and setting within those parameters.

Example of a better cut stone.

 

[Lorelei]

The red circle shows the culet (which appears large), and the blue circles - I believe - are some of the kozibe effect of the culet reflecting around in the diamond. Mine has it as well ... some people love it, some people prefer a smaller culet. It really comes down to personal preference in that regard.

Thank you Mother, great illustration.

 

[rubyjim]

They say it's 2.43 ct??? That is enormous to me!!!

 

[stonewell]

They say it's 2.43 ct??? That is enormous to me!!!

It’s one of two things, imo... either they’re giving you total carat weight, including the side stones, or the center diamond is uber deep.

 

[rubyjim]

ok and I don't want uber deep. Dang it!!!!! still hunting. You're right about the loose stone route. I was just hoping to snag this up for a great deal, under my budget. Thanks!!!

 

[the_mother_thing]

@rubyjim If this is for an engagement ring, I’d give serious thought to snapping that one @stonewell posted from Ivy & Rose if your budget allows (e.g., I don’t know if your $7K was ‘all in’ setting included or just the stone). That’s 1.9 ct for $6500! And it looks to be a beautiful diamond, though additional pics should be requested. I’d ask for them, and see if they will hold it for you so you can post the additional pics on here for comment.

Just out of curiousity - and forgive me if this was already stated and I missed it - if this is for an engagement ring, has the recipient expressed a desire for an antique cut diamond? If so, GREAT! If not, just know that there is a very different ‘look’ that an antique cut has to a modern round brilliant, and it’s really a personal preference thing. Antique cuts are not everyone’s cup of tea, though obviously there are a few folks on here who love them (myself included).

 

[stonewell]

I hear you! Carat weight means nothing, imho, if you can’t see it once it’s set.

I’d check out that 1.9ct. It has wonderful faceup dimensions. Ilya will send you the stone to see in person. That’s really the best way to judge an old cut.